Window construction



Oct. 28, 1952 H. T. FRIIS 5,615,512

WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 15, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet l H. T. FRIISWINDOW CONSTRUCTION Oct. 28, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 15, 1949FIG. 4

FIG. 3

lNl ENTOR Oct. 28,1952 H. T. FRIIS 1 WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 15,1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 6

INVENTOR Patented Oct. 28, 1952 .ffuNiTEo STAT -S PA WINDOW CONSTRUQTIONI Harald T; Fr'iis, Ru1 nS0n, N.' J.-

Application February 15, 1949 ,1S erial Nb. 76,441 7 claims. (01. 1's027 This invention relates to window structures. An object of theinvention is to reduceothe cost of manufacture of windows and'the cost:and labor involved in their installation.

Another object of the invention is to eliminate sticking or binding of asliding sash in its guideways and at the same time preventing such asliding sash from rattling. p

- An additional object of the invention is to eliminate the necessity ofputting up and removing screens and of providing winter storage spacefor them.

In accordance with the invention the opening in the wall of a buildingwhich is to be closed by; a window is provided around its periphery withan outwardly extending weather strip. 1 A unitary window frameassemblage which may be constructed in a factory includes a sill,guideways for a sliding sash,housings for sash bal ance weights, arotary support for a flexible member connecting the sliding sash to theweight, and a recess or chamber into which the sash may slide in theopen position of the window. In contradistinction to the generalpractice of building the frame into the window opening, theframe in thisinvention is mounted on the outside of the wall adjacent the windowopening. One end of the frame is hinged to the outside walland the otheris connected to a clamp which may draw the window into a positiontightly against the outwardly extending weather strip. a p v The clampis releasable from the inside of the building to permit the frame toswing slightly about its hinge to carry the sliding sash out of contactwith the outwardly extending weather strips so that the sash may beslidably moved toanewposition. Thereupon the clamp may be operatedtolock the sash in the new position.

The inventionmay best be understood by-reference to the followingdetailed description taken 'inconnection with the accompanying drawingin v :which:

Fig. ,1 is an elevation partly. in section of the outside ofawindowassemblage constructed in :accordance with the invention; f-

,2 is a horizontal section'along the plane indicatedby line 2.2 of Fig.1 and viewedin the direction of the arrows; I

.i .Fig. 3 is a vertical section along the line-3-.-3 of Fig. 1 showingthe window assemblage positioned against the outside wall of the build-,"Fig. 4 is a vertical section similar to thatsof .Fig. 3 except thatthe window is shown in its ;released or unlocked position; 1,

5 ajvertical section along the line 5- 5 of Figlfl exceptthat the windowis swungj to a,much greater degree to permit inspection; cleaning orrepair; t I I l Fig. 6 is an elevationof. a metal framejs'ashwhichconstitutes the sliding element in a win: dow according to thisinvention;

Fig. 7 is a vertical s'ection in the plane oflth'e line 1-1 of .thestructure shown in FigQIBfand "Fig. 8is a horizontal section of the sashof Fig. 6 in the plane along the line 81-8.. Referring to Figs. 1 andZ,one embodiment of a window frame assemblage in accordance with theinvention comprises two vertical U -shaped sash weight housings l0connected at their upper ends by a horizontal roller' and screen housingIf in which'roller I2 is enclosed and at their lower ends by a secondhorizontal housing I3 into which the sash M (shown in Fig 3 in half openposition) may slide; The roller l2 is supported ateach end by'bearingsl5 and is connected by flexible sash cords or straps [6 to thecounterweights I! which serve to balance the weight of the slidingstructure including sash I4. The unitary rectangular frame structurecomprising vertical members In and horizontal members H and I3 ismounted by hinges 8 at its lower end on the outside of thewall l3 adja}cent a window opening so that the sash M in its normal closedpositionwill overlie the entire window opening. Outer window stops 2,0are attached to the frame members I0, [I and I3 and serve as outerguides for the sliding sash M. The lower outer stop for I purposes ofWeatherpro ofi'ngand of appearance is fashioned in the shape of-awindowsill.

Extending aroundthe periphery of the window opening and attached to thewall I9 are inner stops 2| which like the outer stops 20 preferably areprovided with weathrproofing imateria-l, such as felt orrubber, .ontheir surfaces adjacent the sash 14. By means of a clamping strap 22,illustrated and described more fullygin connection with succeedingfigures, the-window frame may be drawn inwardlyswinging about seated theend of a clamping bolt 26 having an ofiset portion 21 mounted on a panel28, This panel is attached to the wall l9 beneath the upper margin ofthe window opening and on the lower edge of the panel the upper innerstop 2| is mounted. Turning the knob 29 to the position shown in Fig. 3causes the clamping bolt 26 to I operate as an eccentricto draw theframe inwardly and loci; it in that position. The frame may be releasedby rotation of the bolt 26 as shown in Fig. 4 sufliciently to free thesash l4 from the stops and permit sliding it to any desired p siti n whee po h w ndow a ain may be clamped to hold the. sash tightly in the newposition against; rattling or entrance of rain or wind. Should it bedesired to swing th window frame farther out from the building. topermit inspection, cleaning, or repair the bolt 26 may be drawnvertically downward to disengage it from clamping strap, 22; and thewindow frame may then swing outwardly as shown in Fig. 5 to a, limitingposition determinedby metallic holders 30 connected to the. housing H bya screw or other fastener. The'holders 30 slide through holes in panel28 and as shown in Fig. 5 they consist oftwo pieces, that arehingedtogether by a bolt- In the releasedposition of the irameshown inFig. 4 holders 3!), not shown in Fig. 4, are folded against panel 28 andserve as stops. for housing IL This insures that'in this position of.the frame thesash is free at both sides from engagement withv the innerweather strips 2] .t

v The sash M is connected by a flexible member 31 to the roller I2. Inaccordance with the invention the flexible member 3,! takes. the form i'a screen which serves, to hold the sides of the sash M at alltimesin avertical position and which when the window sash hasslid down into the.lower housing l3 serves to cover the window opening andto exclude flyingleaves and insects. v

The, sash is shown in two alternate forms. Figs. 3; 4 and5 illustrate aframeless sashcomprising solely a pane of glass or other translucentmaterial. Figs; 6 and 7 illustrate a sash having a metal frame withatranslucent pane mounted therein. It will be noted, however; that bothof" these-sashes are specially designed in accordance with therequirements of this invention and have the common feature ofasashstructure presenting athickness that is substantiallyno' thicker thanthethickness of the translucent panein the principal portion ofthe sashbetween its-upper and lower margins. This-enables the sash structure tobecla-mpedtightly between the inner and oppositely placed outer stops ofthe window thus insuring-a weather tight seal. It also insures that thewindow structures mayslide into their respective housings throughslots'of uniform width throughout without making theslots-wider than isnecessary=for easy-action.

In the speciesof Figs. 3, 4- and 5l the-vsash I4 or cemented to the panethroughout the central portion and near the upper margin as shown inFig. ,1 on the inside of the pane. It serves both to support the upperedge of the pane against excessive displacement in stormy weather whenthe sash is'partly open and also as a means for grasping the sash toopen or close it.

The alternative window sash 33 of Figs. 6, 7 and 8 comprises a thin flatmetallic upper horizontal'rail 34 of substantially the samethickness asthe translucent pane 35 which it supports The pane 35 is carried at itslower margin by flanged central members 36' extending laterally fromboth sides of the lower horizontal rail of the sash frame and may beseated-on a leather packing strip 31 which fitsbetweenthe flanges. Theupper margin-of the pane 35 isseated and clamped between two woodenstrips 38 held tightly by the two central metal flang portions 39 of theupper horizontal rail 34. The-lower margin-of the supporting screen E0is fastened by soldering or other means to a metal'strip 4| which may befastened tothe upper'horizontal rail-3.4 of the sash by means of a fewcotter pins 42. The two vertical side rails 63 of the sash have lessthickness than the pane. In operation the lower flanges 36 will-alwaysbe positioned below the sill or lower outer step. In theclosed positionof the window the upper flanges 39 will lie just belowthe upper coactingstops 20- and 21. At the sides the stops will'engage the name. Thisinsures a tight weather'seal when the window is closed and clamped.HoweverQto prevent access of rain through the slots at' the ends of theupper flanges 39- it may be desirable to insert in these slots rubbergaskets 44. In this form the sash 33-" will require no supporting bar 32since theupper flanges as'will'serve for its: functions.

It readily will be appreciated from'theforegoing explanation that thewindow: structure of thisinventioxi does not require to be built intothe wall; opening or tube accurately-fitted toit but that it readily maybe applied to the window opening irrespective of the fact that there maybe considerable deviation of the window openin from ideal dimensions. Italso will be understood that installation of. a window according totheinvention may be-made after the masonry or carpentry work. has beenfully completed since it. isnecessary only to. apply the window-frame tothe outside of the wall and not to build it. into the opening; Sliding:of 'windowsashes inpclose fitting. guides with: consequent stickingandsqueaking has been. wholly eliminated. Most important of all when thewindow. is in closed position there are no opportunities for airleaks orany necessity of special weather'stripping'to overcome-such leaks; Thewindow sash is'held firmly. thus. eliminating rattling. Moreover thestructure is such: that in rapid change of'weather one may have either aclosed window with vision unimpaired by a screen, or a screened openingwith the ventilation areaaunobstr'ucted' by a window sash. No smalliadvantage istheprotection of the screen from the weather underconditions where the screen is not in use. Moreover upkeep whichordinarily involves considerable labor for maintenance of the putty orother glazing material in the less expensive windows is very greatlyreduced.' The window is especially advantageous for structures in whichthe window opening is wide relative to the height of the opening.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a unitary window frame assembly retractably mountedon the exterior face of a portion of building wall in overlying relationto a window opening therein, said frame assembly including a sashguideway, a sash engaging said guideway in sliding relationship,Weatherstripping on said wall portion outlining said window opening andbearing upon all of the four margins of the inner face of said sash whenthe sash is in its closed position and said assembly is retracted, andmeans for pressing said Weatherstripping and said sash tightly togetherin any position of said sash comprising a manually operable device forclamping said retractable assembly to said wall portion at will.

2. In combination, a portion of building wall that has a window openingtherein, a unitary window assembly retractably mounted on the outer faceof said wall portion overlying said opening, said assembly comprising apair of vertical sash weight housings connected at their upper ends by ahorizontal roller housing and connected at their lower ends by a sashhousing, a roller mounted in said horizontal housing, long flexiblemembers connected to said roller to support sash weights in saidvertical housings, a fiy screen attached at its one end to said rollerand to a sliding sash at its other, said housings being spaced from eachother to frame a rectangular opening of substantially the size of saidwindow opening and said sash housing being deep enough to accommodatesaid sash when the latter is fully lowered, stops carried by saidhousings and extending around said rectangular opening with their sashfacing-surfaces in the same plane, stops carried by said wall portionand extending around said window opening with their sashfacing surfacesin the same plane, and clamping means to draw said assembly toward saidwall portion, and to release it, at will.

3. In combination, a portion of building wall having a window openingtherein, a unitary window assembly retractably mounted against theexterior face of said wall portion overlying said opening, said assemblycomprising a horizontal roller housing, a roller supported in saidhousing, a flexible screen attached at one end to said roller andattached at its other end in supporting relation to the top of a slidingsash, a counterbalance for said sash, a sash housing, vertical housingmembers connecting said roller and sash housings and together with themframing a rectangular opening alined with said window opening, said sashhousing being deep enough to accommodate said sash when the latter is infully-opened position, stops attached to the margins of each saidopening and positioned to contact the two opposite faces of said sashwhen said assembly is re--' tracted, and mean for clamping the sashtightly between said stops after the sash has been slid to a desiredposition, comprising a manually operable clamp connection to draw saidretractably mounted assembly toward the said wall portion, and torelease it, at will.

4. A combination in accordance with claim 3 in which said assembly ishinge-mounted for movement about a horizontal axis lying substantiallybelow said window opening.

5. In combination, a portion. of building wall having a window openingtherein, Weatherstrip- 1 ping attached to and extending around themargin of said opening with its outer face in a common plane lyingbeyond the outer face of said wall portion, a unitary window frameassemblage mounted against the outer face of said wall portion overlyingsaid opening, said assemblage comprising an overhead roller housing, aroller supported horizontally therein, a window screen attached at itsupper margin to said roller for winding thereon and at its lower marginto a vertically sliding sash, and outside stops extending around themargin of the outer face of said sash in the closed position thereof,and clamping means connected to saidassemblage and said Wall portion forforcing said outside stops inwardly against the sash at will.

6. In combination, a portion of building wall having a window openingtherein, inside Weatherstripping attached to and extending around themargin of said opening with its outer face in a common plane lyingbeyond the outer face of said wall portion, a unitary window frameassemblage retractably mounted against the outer face of said wallportion overlying said opening, said frame assemblage including anoverhead horizontal roller housing, a roller supported horizontallytherein, a window screen attached at its upper margin to said roller forwinding thereon and at its lower margin to a sash slidable verticallywithin said frame assemblage to cover said opening, said assemblagecarrying outside weatherstripping that extends around the margin of theouter face of said sash in the closed position thereof, and clampingmeans for retracting said assemblage toward said wall portion at willwhereby the sash is clamped between the inside and outsideweatherstrippings.

7. A combination in accordance with claim 6 in which said sash is ofsubstantially uniform thickness.

HARALD T. FRIIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 559,557 Wojton May 5, 18961,047,049 Hartsfield Dec. 10, 1912 1,107,877 Banning Aug. 18, 19141,162,328 Banning Nov. 30, 1915 1,744,980 McCarty Jan. 28, 19301,796,837 Fisher Mar. 17, 1931 1,811,111 Boothman June 23, 19311,861,598 Grisel June 7, 1932 1,900,177 Fien Mar. 7, 1933 2,126,231Verhagen Aug. 9, 1938 2,268,114 Foster et al Dec. 30, 1941 2,408,483Rodman Oct. 1, 1946 2,419,648 Koontz Apr. 29, 1947 2,492,721 Vita Dec.27, 1949 2,537,804

Watkins Jan. 9, 1951

